The Criterion Collection

[Iamspartacus]

So I just bought a Third Man clear plastic cased criterion used (in like new supposedly condition) for $150. Did I get a good deal or get ripped off?

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Iamspartacus

So I just bought a Third Man clear plastic cased criterion used (in like new supposedly condition) for $150. Did I get a good deal or get ripped off?

That seems to be the going rate.

I'd LOVE to own it, but not at that price.

[Lutz]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

I am in your same shoes with Ophuls
Lola Montes seems to be, for me, a OK/mediocre film. The cinematography and film settings are great, but the story and main actress are mediocre at best. I am willing to give Ophuls another chance with The Earrings of Madame de..., which many consider his true masterpiece.

I would go for La Ronde which is delightful.

[Infernal King]

The Big Lebowski is as close to "if you don't like this movie, you're objectively wrong" as it's possible to get, I think. Also, anyone who tells you they're able to fully take in every detail of the experience in one sitting is lying. It rewards multiple viewings like almost no other film I've ever seen.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

To the few that will watch a Japanese film, am I the only one that likes Kurosawa's Red Beard?

A samurai doctor that can literally kick anyone's "behind"; I am all for that, although it would not benefit our current healthcare system.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My problem with the Coen Brothers films is that they try too hard to make each every person onscreen stand out in some oddly distinguished way, and their efforts have the over-the-top effect of making all of their movies seem like tours through a carnival freakshow. When every single hotel clerk, every single secretary, every single cab driver, and every single walk-on actor sticks out like a cockroach on a wedding cake, the result detracts from the story at hand and lends an obtrusive quirkiness to the proceedings.

And for some people that's what we like about the Coens and their films

[BTTF_]

Hey does anyone know when B&N usually has the first 50% off sale. Not the November one.
Also, I just watched La Haine and was blown away. Can anyone recommend a similar style film in the collection? The language doesn't matter.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by Lutz

I would go for La Ronde which is delightful.

Thank you for the recommendation. I feel like Ophuls has great direction, but the story and the actress in Lola Montes was keeping him down. I also heard good things about La Ronde, being one of his late masterpieces.

On the topic of the Coen Brothers, "the dude does not abide" on the general opinion.

I love The Big Lebowski, but their best movie is Blood Simple. A beautiful neo-noir with great actors and good story. This film was one of the last films that I needed to watch to say I have seen all their films. Highly recommended, especially for the naysayers.

"Nihilists! F$&! me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos."

There so many good quotes in The Big Lebowski. (maybe that is over the heads of some the posters here)

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by nondiatonic

I wouldn't be so harsh on the Coens as to compare them to Tarantino ().

Originally Posted by Rich Pure Doom

Tarantino shouldn't even be uttered in the same sentence with the Coens. The Coens have atleast 6 or 7 all time classics. Tarantino has 2 maybe?

Originally Posted by baheidstu

And for some people that's what we like about the Coens and their films

Okay. Glad to see some love for The Coen Brothers. I expected that the consensus would prefer Tarantino. I guess I am used to running with different folks.

I'll give The Big Lebowski another chance some day. I like what you (nondiatonic) said about it. It could be the overly loved (can I call it fanboy?) aspect of the film that is linked to stoners and being lazy that turns me off.

Regarding the source material for No Country... I didn't read the book, but I read (as much as I could take) of McCarthy's The Road and wanted to see how far I could heave it into Lake Michigan.

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Prior to perusing the blu-ray.com site with great frequency, Godard was one of the only directors with whom I was somewhat familiar with his work. Band of Outsiders is a lot of fun and I have no qualms with Breathless, either. With that being said, none of the posters here have really influenced me to seek out any more of his work.

I actually took out Vivre sa Vie from the library just yesterday and I am looking forward to seeing for myself which side of the fence I stand on. Will report back some time within the next week.

Knowing that you enjoyed Band of Outsiders, you will definitely enjoy Vivre Sa Vie. I am just curious which one you will prefer. The cinematography and film editing is just some of the best in all cinema. It is very poetic, and, as I mention before and will repeat it multiple times, Anna Karina is gorgeous.

[Mansinthe]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My favorite Coen Brothers film, and one that I truly do love, is No Country for Old Men.

that was the only movie from the coen brothers i would watch a second time.


but stuff like true grit , burn after reading and fargo... beyond boring. but to be fair i have not seen all their movies yet.

i might 1 or 2 more godard movies a chance as well. probably Vivre Sa Vie and Hail Mary if i can find a cheap copy on ebay.

[Infernal King]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

I'll give The Big Lebowski another chance some day. I like what you (nondiatonic) said about it. It could be the overly loved (can I call it fanboy?) aspect of the film that is linked to stoners and being lazy that turns me off.

I know it can be difficult sometimes but in your mind, try to divorce the hype a movie has received before watching it.

[fahrenheit290]

Originally Posted by smoss469

That seems to be the going rate.

I'd LOVE to own it, but not at that price.

Re: The Third Man


Third Man isn't one of my favorites, but the cinematography is truly stunning work. One of the most deserving Oscars for that category. That score, however, really eats at me when I watch the film. I was curious about the two presentations, Criterion vs. Studio Canal, and looked at stills on DVD Beaver. It looks like the Criterion presentation is superior in visual quality. Is that the consensus? Yes, it'll be expensive to find, but will be worth it with slightly crisper images and the extras.

Yeah, "retired" blu-rays go for a lot on ebay and Amazon. Chunking Express is another one that's hard to find.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by Roninblues

To the few that will watch a Japanese film, am I the only one that likes Kurosawa's Red Beard?

No, you're not. But I suppose it depends on how you're looking at it. I like Red Beard, but I wouldn't include it in the top tier of Kurosawa films.

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

My problem with the Coen Brothers films is that they try too hard to make each every person onscreen stand out in some oddly distinguished way, and their efforts have the over-the-top effect of making all of their movies seem like tours through a carnival freakshow. When every single hotel clerk, every single secretary, every single cab driver, and every single walk-on actor sticks out like a cockroach on a wedding cake, the result detracts from the story at hand and lends an obtrusive quirkiness to the proceedings.

Originally Posted by baheidstu

And for some people that's what we like about the Coens and their films

I know, right? No one else does what they do as successfully as they do it. Not that everything they do is perfect, but I think the only movie of theirs that I didn't like was The Hudsucker Proxy, and that had more to do with Jennifer Jason Leigh annoying the crap out of me (as she usually does) than anything that the Coens did (or failed to do).

[jayembee]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Okay. Glad to see some love for The Coen Brothers. I expected that the consensus would prefer Tarantino. I guess I am used to running with different folks.

I don't see why one has to be compared to the other. I like the Coens, I like Tarantino, and I don't feel the need to argue whether one is better than the other. There's more than enough room for both.

Regarding the source material for No Country... I didn't read the book, but I read (as much as I could take) of McCarthy's The Road and wanted to see how far I could heave it into Lake Michigan.

Back about 15-20 years ago, I read McCarthy's Blood Meridian, and it was one of the worst reading experiences of my adult life. I've no interest in reading any of his other books. Apparently, the Coens managed to pull an interesting story out of No Country for Old Men, though.

[Carletty]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

that was the only movie from the coen brothers i would watch a second time.


but stuff like true grit , burn after reading and fargo... beyond boring. but to be fair i have not seen all their movies yet.

i might 1 or 2 more godard movies a chance as well. probably Vivre Sa Vie and Hail Mary if i can find a cheap copy on ebay.

I don't think you would like 'Hail Mary'. Try Alphaville, Band Of Outsiders, Pierrot Le Fou and Les Carabiniers.

Or you take a look at his shorts For example:

Je Vous Salue, Sarajevo - YouTube

Personally, I think 'Le Gai Savoir' is the best film he's ever made.

[smoss469]

Originally Posted by Fellini912

Thank you for the recommendation. I feel like Ophuls has great direction, but the story and the actress in Lola Montes was keeping him down. I also heard good things about La Ronde, being one of his late masterpieces.

On the topic of the Coen Brothers, "the dude does not abide" on the general opinion.

I love The Big Lebowski, but their best movie is Blood Simple. A beautiful neo-noir with great actors and good story. This film was one of the last films that I needed to watch to say I have seen all their films. Highly recommended, especially for the naysayers.

"Nihilists! F$&! me. I mean, say what you want about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos."

There so many good quotes in The Big Lebowski. (maybe that is over the heads of some the posters here)

The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies, from any genre, time period or actor/director. We quote it at work all the time. We have an internal Instant Message system at work and it seems I constantly get quotes sent to me out of the blue from co-workers.

For all the Noir fans on this place, you'd expect more love for The Man Who Wasn't There. It seems to go largely under the radar but it's an outstanding movie.

[SilentDawn]

Originally Posted by smoss469

The Big Lebowski is one of my favorite movies, from any genre, time period or actor/director. We quote it at work all the time. We have an internal Instant Message system at work and it seems I constantly get quotes sent to me out of the blue from co-workers.

For all the Noir fans on this place, you'd expect more love for The Man Who Wasn't There. It seems to go largely under the radar but it's an outstanding movie.

I would love to see The Man Who Wasn't There come to Criterion!

[Fellini912]

Originally Posted by jayembee

I don't see why one has to be compared to the other. I like the Coens, I like Tarantino, and I don't feel the need to argue whether one is better than the other. There's more than enough room for both.



Back about 15-20 years ago, I read McCarthy's Blood Meridian, and it was one of the worst reading experiences of my adult life. I've no interest in reading any of his other books.

You are starting to become my favorite poster on this thread.

I have read The Road, All the Pretty Horses, The Crossing, Cities of the Plain and, 6 months ago I have read Blood Meridian.

Blood Meridian makes Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange a light Sunday Morning cartoon. It is one of the most violent novels I have read. The Judge will give you nightmares, this is not your romantic cowboy western novel, it is a beast, gritty and hungry. One of the greatest American novels (if not the greatest according Harold Bloom) of the last few decades.

If you have not read All the Pretty Horses, I highly recommend it. The novel is a lot less violent, but I find it great. Although, I think that The Crossing surpasses it.